There has been some sort of revival in wind energy production in recent years, which has surprised many, given the fact that, somehow, we had started believing that renewable energy is totally under the command of the solar segment. What are the factors that have led to this small turnaround?
The primary factor is that wind energy is available during peak hours – right from morning till late in the evening. And it complements and supplements the solar segment. Now, everybody has realised hybrid plus WiSH (Wind Solar Hybrid System) is the best way to go ahead in the renewable business. And even the C&I (commercial & industrial) sector is optimistic about making the most of it, because it is providing a higher CFU (capacity utilisation factor), which is close to 36 per cent. So, they are preferring wind more than ever before. In the recent past, 75 per cent of wind project commissioning has been undertaken by the C&I sector. Out of the 6 GW of wind energy commissioned last year, the contribution of about 4.5 GW came from the C&I sector.
So, it’s basically an emphasis on hybrid, which has resulted in the revival of wind energy…
Yes. We can’t integrate solar energy with the transmission line on a 24x7 basis. For the best utilisation of transmission lines, we need a continuous supply of energy. Earlier, the thermal source was using about 70 per cent of the transmission line capacity. That wind energy can be available during the larger part of the 24-hour-cycle is a major plus. So, this combination of solar and wind in the form of hybrid energy plus storage gives it the capability to inject into the transmission when needed or on demand. Cost-wise also, it is comparable to the readily available option. A recent competitive bidding for the round-the-clock SECI tender had drawn a Rs5.25 quote.
The recent spike in wind energy capacity addition has triggered the hope of achieving a wind energy capacity base of 100 GW by 2030. Recent positive reversal notwithstanding, don’t you think it is too ambitious, considering our current base of 57 GW?
India’s current available wind turbine manufacturing capacity is 24 GW. Last year, we had touched 6 GW of additional capacity and, this year also, we are hoping to end with 7.5 GW or 8 GW. So, it’s picking up quite considerably because, as I said, everybody is realising the potential of hybrid energy. And that’s why hybrid tenders are on the up and up.
Will there be some concrete action in the offshore wind segment? The first tender did not evince interest from the private players…
There are a lot of parameters through which we have been judging the situation. We have to see the seabed and check what kind of foundation is required. Also, what is the marine life over there? How much impact will it have on them? We have to undertake various technical studies, as well as check the wind velocity over there. All this has been completed. Now, the offshore wind developers can have analysis of these parameters. The issue is: as of now, nobody has done anything in the offshore wind segment in India. So, nobody is sure whether their quotations will be viable or unviable. That’s why we need some projects to showcase their viability. Yes, initial projects have been delayed. I think everybody is hesitating, thinking about what exactly the cost will come to. We will require special vessels for such operations to ferry the load. They will need to hire these vessels either from China or Europe. Then, port infrastructure has to be upgraded. Luckily, Tuticorin Port has the capacity and capability to handle offshore components. And we have analysed the resources off the coast of Tamil Nadu. For the first few projects, we are thinking of using the best resource. And we are thinking of offering a bid in that particular area.
We have always believed that wind energy would be restricted to coastal areas, because of favourable climatic conditions. But technologies are emerging that may defy this conventional wisdom. How do you believe this factor will play out here?
New technology has emerged where lower wind velocity can also be converted into wind energy. Earlier, the cutting speed used to be six metres per second. Any velocity less than that was not considered viable for wind energy production. Now, there are some wind turbine manufacturers who have developed capabilities that can create wind energy with a velocity of three metres per second. So, with the new technology coming up, more locations are becoming viable. This is slated to help in the expansion of wind energy locations everywhere.